After receiving the full power of Ippo's punch, Saeki goes down as the referee tries to get Ippo to the neutral corner. Saeki gets back up immediately but he is clearly in no condition to fight as he falls on the referee, who catches him and gives the signal to end the match.

Ippo leaves the ring without even being pronounced the winner. As Date begins to develop countermeasures for Ippo, Takamura tells him it is too soon, as there are other people after him as well.

Umezawa, who is watching over Ippo as Yagi and Kamogawa serve as seconds for Aoki and Kimura, goes looking for water. While he waits, Ippo is visited by Saeki, who wants to know how his position was figured out. Ippo responds that Saeki's precise rhythm was what helped him figure out the position, Saeki then reflects on the irony of his perfect rhythm being the reason he lost, and leaves the room. Umezawa returns with water and congratulates Ippo, who thanks him for cheering.